Santa Cruz Desalination

The City of Santa Cruz and Soquel Creek Water District are partnering to develop a water supply project to serve both of their respective service areas. At present, a seawater desalination facility is proposed. Environmental review is underway. Additionally, a ballot initiative has passed which will allow the voters of Santa Cruz to decide whether or not they want a seawater desalination facility. The Santa Cruz Chapter has been active in discussions about the project and alternatives to the project, and supported the ballot initiative. The chapter would like to see alternatives to or of the project which minimize seawater desalination and prioritize alternatives that have the least impact on the marine environment, perhaps even providing benefits to the marine environment (i.e. pollution prevention), and use less energy.